How do you write chemical equations for combustion reactions?

Question

So I have solid barium, solid boron, liquid acetone #C_3H_6O#, and liquid octane #C_8H_18#. I know that a combustion reaction results in #CO_2# + #H_2O#, but I'm just confused on what the text is saying with the formula for combustion being A + #O_2# #rarr# AO.

Serenity Allen · Accepted Answer

<img alt="enter image source here" src="https://tutor.hix.ai 
The combustion of octane <mathjax>#C_8H_18#</mathjax> follows this reaction 
<mathjax>#2C_8H_18 + 25O_2 -> 16CO_2 + 18H_2O# A combustion reaction takes a hydrocarbon and burns it in oxygen to release carbon dioxide and water. A hydrocarbon is a molecule that contains carbon and hydrogen. 
The basic equation looks like this.

The combustion of propane <mathjax>#C_3H_8#</mathjax> follows this reaction
<mathjax>#C_3H_8 + 5O_2 -> 3CO_2 + 4H_2O#
The combustion of pentane <mathjax>#C_5H_12#</mathjax> follows this reaction
<mathjax>#C_5H_12 + 8O_2 -> 5CO_2 + 6H_2O#
The combustion of octane <mathjax>#C_8H_18#</mathjax> follows this reaction
<mathjax>#2C_8H_18 + 25O_2 -> 16CO_2 + 18H_2O#

Ellie Andrews · Answer

Combustion is when a substance reacts quickly with oxygen producing heat and light.

The general equation for combustion is:

#A + O_2 -> AO#

Magnesium is an example of an element that can undergo a combustion reaction. The reaction of magnesium and oxygen produces a very bright light and quite a bit of heat, burning at a temperature of 3,100 °C.

Here is a quick demonstration showing the combustion of magnesium.

Hope this helps!

Luna Chen · Answer

undefined To write chemical equations for combustion reactions, you need to identify the reactants and products involved. Combustion reactions typically involve a fuel (such as hydrocarbons or carbon-containing compounds) reacting with oxygen gas (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as the primary products.

The general form of a combustion reaction can be represented as follows:

Fuel + Oxygen (from air) → Carbon Dioxide + Water

To write the specific chemical equation for a combustion reaction, follow these steps:

1. Identify the fuel (hydrocarbon or carbon-containing compound).
2. Write the molecular formula of the fuel.
3. Balance the equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
4. Add coefficients to balance the number of atoms of each element.

For example, the combustion of methane (CH4) can be represented by the following balanced equation:

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

In this equation, there is one carbon atom on both sides, four hydrogen atoms on both sides, and four oxygen atoms on both sides, ensuring that the equation is balanced.

Similarly, the combustion of propane (C3H8) can be represented as:

C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

Again, the equation is balanced, with three carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and ten oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.